Flag bearer in Paris, Jannik Sinner hypothesis gains momentum

Banner holder in Paris, Jannik Sinner's hypothesis gains momentum

Coni President Giovanni Malagò, during an event dedicated to the national planting day at the Salone d’Onore of the Italian National Olympic Committee, spoke, among other things, about Jannik Sinner.

“He is rewriting history,” Malagò said.

We are first of all proud of his attitude as well as his sports achievements. From the beginning, Coni, but in general the whole sports environment, è happy to read and feel this desire of his to do well in Paris. There'è an element that makes you understand his intelligence, becauseé even the most prestigious tournaments, which are the 4 Slams, are there every year, while the Games come once every 4 years, so you have to be in shape at that particular time".

Asked if the South Tyrolean tennis player will be able to serve as a flag bearer, Malagò said: "The sports world appreciates that there is an unwritten rule that whoever has won an Olympic gold medal represents the country. Then don’t forget that there are also flag bearers of the closing ceremony, don’t underestimate that".

As for Italy’s current sports facilities, Malagò è è much less enthusiastic: "We are at the top of sports results, but the ugly face of this medal è that we have never been in such a dramatic moment of sports facilities in Italy, even Minister Abodi said it recently, but the situation è pitiful and è recognized by everyone, even by politics".

"We as Coni, però are not in the business of making facilities. We need a Marshall plan made by competent people, not individuals who happened by chance who then make nefarious decisions. For example, there's been a dramatically missed opportunity, that dastardly stance on the allocation of funds by the NRP. An opportunity that will happen again in 50 generations. That's why I always say you need big sports events to make the facilities in Italy".

Speaking instead of the Azzurri sports results, he concluded: “È impressive what is happening, never have we had so many arrows in our bow. With 4 months to go until Paris we can do better than Tokyo if we meet the medal projections. We are the only country in the world present everywhere, in 371 different disciplines. You cannot be first in all of them, but if you find the contingency, the athlete or whatever then you are competitive".